COLUMBIA, Mo. – Jacksonville State Cross Country will leave the Yellowhammer State for the first time this season on Friday when they participate in the Gans Creek Classic hosted by the University of Missouri. The course will also serve as the preview for the NCAA National Championship on Nov. 22.
Gans Creek Classic
Sept. 26, 2025
Men: 8:30 a.m. | Women: 10:30 a.m.
Live Results |
Meet Information |
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Gamecocks Continue to Earn Weekly Awards
Jepkirui Kurgoi and Nelbat Kirwa took home CUSA Freshmen of the Week honors following the Southern Showcase on Sept. 16, marking the fourth and fifth CUSA honors by Gamecocks through two meets this season. At the season opening Foothills Invitational,
Mercy Jebet earned Player and Freshman of the Week with
Nolan McGregor earning Freshman of the Week honors as well.
Gans Creek Classic Field
The Gans Creek Classic field will feature several nationally ranked teams on both sides, with 14 top-25 programs on the men's side, including No. 1 Iowa State and nine top-25 programs on the women's side of the event, highlighted by No. 2 Oregon. The course will serve as the site for the 2025 NCAA Men's and Women's Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 22.
A Look Ahead
Following the Gans Creek Classic, the Gamecocks have three October meets scheduled at the Georgia Tech Invitational (Oct. 3), Upstate Invitational (Oct. 18) and Gary Wilson Invitational (Oct. 21). The Jax State men won the Upstate Invitational last season. Jax State will then participate in the CUSA Championship on Nov. 1 in Huntsville, Ala.
Women Make Program History in USTFCCCA Rankings
For the first time in Jacksonville State Women's Cross Country history, the Gamecocks are ranked in the USTFCCCA Regional Rankings, sitting 14
th in the South Region rankings. The Gamecock women join the men, who began the season ranked 13
th and jumped to 12
th following the Southern Showcase. It is the highest ranking in program history for both teams.
Year Three
2025 serves as the third Cross Country season at the helm of the Jax State program for head coach
Jeremy Provence. Provence arrived at Jax State in the spring of 2023 for outdoor track and field season before leading the Gamecocks into the first year of Conference USA competition in his first season with the program in 2023. Provence and the Gamecocks managed four team victories last season between the men and women, also earning their highest NCAA Regional finishes in program history.
